Hello. I am scheduled to join a group in Florence on April 3, 2010. I thought I would spend a day or so in advance in Venice, but am concerned that I will not be able to book train travel through Florence on the 3rd. The advice I have read suggests buying the train tix 3-4 days in advance, but I will have about 1.5 days in which to do so in Venice. Should I seek another way to Florence or do you think I will be successful getting the train tickets? I tried Italiarail.com, but the site seems not to be working or closed down.

Thanks for any advice.

When do you arrive in Italy?

Probably on April 1. It can't be earlier because I can't take more time off from work. I had thought of perhaps going directly to Florence, but the transportation connections did not seem to be matching up well. Venice to Florence seemed easy as I have been in Venice and departed by train before, but the holidays are what have me in a quandary. Now if I could purchase a trenitalia ticket in Heathrow, that might help things along.

Easter Saturday is a big travel day, but there are 13 fast trains from Venice Santa Lucia to Florence. It's unlikely that they will *all* be sold out 1.5 days in advance.

Thanks for helping me put that in perspective, Zerlina. I just checked and I count about 6 trains total that will get me there by the time I need to meet up with others. It looks like this might work.

Thanks again.

I would purchase as soon as possible upon arrival in Italy. In addition to the AV/ES trains, there are several IC trains and multiple R trains. The R trains will likely involve a change in Bologna or elsewhere and will take a bit longer, but they don't sell out although you might not get a seat and have to stand. Use Trenitalia for schedules. Not all R trains will show that far in advance or if you enter Venice/Florence. Try entering Venice/Bologna and Bologna/Florence and click all solutions.
http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/inde...003f16f90aRCRD

Thanks, kybourbon. I will check out all the possibilities I can think of and act as quickly as possible.

I wonder if train tickets can be purchased at the Venice airport...